Civilization and barbarism, illustrated by especial reference to Metacomet and the extinction of his race

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CORNELL

UNIVERSITY

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Chapter I

The name " Indian " was given to the aborigines of this country by Amerigo Vespucci, who, two years after John Cabot had explored the coast of North America, made discovery of some parts of South America, and had the singular fortune to confer his own name on both parts of the continent. When first discovered by Columbus, he supposed, as did others after him, that these coasts were the eastern shores of India ; hence the name " Indians " given to the inhabitants. The origin of the North American Indians remains an unsolved problem.

The Indians of New England, when the white man first came among them, were destitute of the peculiar advantages and improvements which attend civilized life.

Government they had to a certain extent. Each nation or tribe had an acknowledged head or chief ; the son of such chief succeeded generally to the father, or, if there were no son, the queen or next of kin ruled. The king, or chief they called " Sachem." Tribute for the support of a chief was paid by all.^

1 Some have supposed that the titles of " Chief " and " Sagamore " were used by Indians indifferently. But others, and their opinions are probably correct, think that Sagamores, a name which to a limited extent only was in use in New England, ruled a lesser territory, and were in degree subordinate and accountable to the " Sachems." There were many Sagamores within the Massachusetts Bay

They Lad such laws as custom imposed, and those only. With few ideas of property or its uses, few laws and fewer punishments were necessary. Attempts against the life of a chief, and other acts of treason, were capital offenses. The punishment was summary ; some of the wisest men were convoked, and they pronouncing the accused guilty, the tomahawk became speedily the instrument of vengeance ; the culprit's brains were spilled without thought of resistance. Of personal injuries or affronts generally, every man was his own avenger. Indians recognized no precept which forbade rendering evil for evil.

They knew nothing of military discipline. When war was contemplated, the Sachem called together his fighting men, to consult them. Hostilities being determined, every one was left to fight in his own way.

Domestic relations were sacred. Whenever an alliance was desired, the courtship was simple and brief ; the enamored presented to the parents of her whom he sought, a belt of wampum, a bracelet, or other gift, which, if she received it, constituted marriage. Girls, from eleven to fifteen years old, generally had suitors according to their charms.^

Love of offspring was proverbially strong in Indians. No mother was ever known to commit her pappoose to other nurse. When she found it necessary to disburden herself of its charge, sometimes by convenient arrangement she sus-

Colony ; for instance, Sagamore George of Saugus, Sagamore John of Medford, Sagamore Passaconoway of Merrimac, Sagamore Shawanon of Nashua, and others. But Massasoit, the Chief of the Wampanoags, was always called Sachem ; as were Miantonimo, Chief of the Narragansetts ; and Sassacus, of the Pequots. What authority Sachems and Sagamores had respectively, it is difficult to define. Roger Williams has it that Sagamores were inferior Sachems who, with their subordinates, were located for purposes of planting and colonizing, at the bidding of the Sachem. Some writers have it that the Sachem was ruled, rather than ruler, and held the reins only by the peoples' consent.

1 The new relationship was, generally, as respected the wife, no sinecure. Her services were laborious. She was expected to provide and fasten the bark which shall cover the bridal wigwam ; braid the mats, and cultivate the corn-field. In all removes she was expected to convey the provisions ; and, if mother of young children, must carry the youngest swung from her back. Meals, daily prepared, must wait until her lord and other male attendants have regaled themselves.

Marriage was never formed with one of near kin, and the tie was inviolable.

pended the infant from tree-boughs, to be " rocked by the breezes from the land of souls, or soothed by songs of birds." ^

In their religion, Indians had faint notions of a future state, — a paradise of hunting-grounds, fruitful fields, flowery meadows, pleasant rivers, and wigwams provided without toil. This view led them to bury with the dead, wampum, bows and arrows, trinkets, and useful utensils. Indians acknowledged a Great Spirit who gave them existence, rain after drought, and fair weather after storm. They seem to have been inspired by the common hope of mankind, — the hope of happiness. But deep inquiry into religion was little consistent with that indolence of mind which they regarded as bliss. The Great Spirit they called " Katan," and with this spirit they imagined their powows had influence.^ It has been said that Mr. Eliot could, in translating the Bible, find no Indian word by which to express the name God, and was, therefore, obliged to employ English terms.^ Mr. Mayhew, after an interview, in 1650, with Myoxco, a Martha's Vineyard Chief, suggested that Indians believed in a plurality of gods. But Mr. Eliot and Mr. Mayhew are probably neither to be considered as settling the question of the Indians' religious belief.*

There is evidence that besides their notions of a great and good spirit, they had some thought of an evil spirit, some-

1 It was their excessive fondness for their children which was the chief difficulty In the way of educating the offspring of Indians. They could not endure the thought of separation.

" It was resort to this kind of priesthood which brought from early settlers the accusation that Indians worshipped the devil. Believing that the powows had influence in cases of sickness or other troubles, they were offended by the denunciations of Eliot, Mayhew, Gookin, etc., who condemned the acts of powows as juggles.

' " It may be fairly inferred that Mr. Eliot's objection to the word ' Katan," was simply that it might not convey to the mind of Indians an nncontaminated idea of the true God of the Scriptures." Mr. W. preferred the word " Manitou," by which term the natives were accustomed to express admiration of whatever excelled.

* We think it wiU appear, on examination, that Myoxco had reference only to Sagamores translated to the place of souls, an idea akin to the mythology to which Cicero refers : " Romulus in coeli cum Diis." The probability is, as Mr. Williams intimates, that Myoxco wished to get rid of Mr. Mayhew's importunity and therefore asked " Shall I throw all these Manitous away? " There is no evidence of departed braves being regarded as objects of religious worship.

times called " Chapian," but oftener " Habomacho." ^ A modern writer says, " The Indian's untutored mind betrayed him into childish fancies concerning the future, yet he was far from excluding any part of his own species." ^

If we proceed to a general view of the Indian, — his person, life, character, etc., let it be said : —

1. Indians were remarkable for their strong and well compacted forms, athletic and capable of endurance. When first seen by the English settlers, they were none of them inebriates. They knew nothing of intoxicating drinks until the white man came and tempted them. " English strong-water " had a bewitching charm. In the long run it destroyed more than fell by the sword.^

2. Indians were fond of society. They had games and sports in which all engaged. Children, as soon as able to draw the bow, became experts in shooting. Wrestling, running, swimming, and dancing were amusements in which they often and early exercised. A favorite pastime was foot-ball ; clans would engage, the goals sometimes being a mile or two apart.

3. In manners they were naturally urbane. They came into houses of friends or strangers without knocking, and sat down without salutation or ceremony, as if entitled to hospitality.*

4. At first Indians were partially clothed by pelts of beasts.

1 Roger Williams, Wood, and others tell us that the "Indians helieved that a peaceful entrance into elysium was denied to the unworthy."

" A late editor of Pope's Essay on Man has Said, " This vice (of omitting to exclude his own species) could proceed only from pride of science. He humanly admits his faithful dog to bear him company."

Woods tells of an Indian who had never seen a black man, that coming where! was a negro, he was alarmed, supposing him to be Habomacho. The reader will recollect it is related by African explorers that when negroes on the banks of the Niger first saw Mr. Parks, who, we need not say was a white man, they exclaimed, " The Lord preserve us from the devil." Had Indians known at first sight, what afterwards befell them, they doubtless would have thought some such exclamation pertinent.

^ It is related, that on one occasion white people undertook to punish Indians for some indiscretion. A chief of the tribe objected, " Send your fire-water to prison ; punish it, but not those whom it causes to do wrong."

* It is remarkable that no person was subject to insult, and that no female had occasion to apprehend any attempt upon her honor. It it also remarkable that violence was never known to be offered by an Indian to females of his own race.

When they became acquainted with European fabrics, an old covering of otter or beaver would suflSce to buy a new suit of woolen or linen. ^

5. The personal ornament of Indians consisted chiefly of pendants, paints, and feathers.^

6. In construction, Indians did not excel. Their contrivances for navigation showed, however, that they were capable of better things than they attempted.^

7. The few implements employed by Indians for manual operation were chiefly stone. They used the shell of the large sea- clam for a hoe.*

8. In the culinary department a few wooden or earthen vessels sufficed.^

9. As to household furniture, their wants were few.^

10. Their fisheries, and game generally, were objects of interest.'^

1 Indian moccasins were generally made from skins of moose, dressed by stringent application. Manufactured articles they sometimes stained with brilliant colors. Threads of wild hemp, sinews of animals, or quills of porcupines, were used to embroider apparel.

^ These pendants were carved from shell, bone, or stone, and were hung from ear or neck. Belts of wampum were suspended from arms or shoulders, or adjusted around waist or knees. Feathers were decorations for the hair, and paints were used upon face, body, and limbs.

' Canoes of pine or chestnut were made by repeated burning, and by scraping with shells the charred parts, and by hewing with stone. Boats were constructed from the bark of birch, the strips sewed together by raw hide, having ribs or knees distended.

* The implements of stone were chiefly pestles, chisels, and hatchets. Specimens of these are occasionally |6und in localities which Indians frequented. The hatchet had, instead of an eye for the ipsertion of a helve, a groove forming a neck around which to fasten a withe.

' The wooden ware was made, generally, of the knots of trees. Indians boiled in earthen pots, baked in hot ashes, and roasted by means of a spit placed before a fire.

" They needed neither chairs, nor stools, nor beds except such as were formed of mats or pelts; they preferred sitting or sleeping on the ground; even in grand council Indians sat on the ground. The earth was their table.

' They had fisheries at nearly all rivers, and at the shores and lakes at proper seasons ; and contriving to make the waters and sands contribute amply to their sustenance, they constructed nets and seines of wild kelp, and fished with hooks and lines, the hooks made from bones. Sturgeon were taken by aid of torch-light. Besides these resources, there were various methods of taking game. Moose, caribou, and deer were, especially, edible. Bears, raccoons, rabbits, and birds were valued. Traps were contrived for taking the larger animals

11. They were partial to tobacco. By it they sought to refresh their spirits. The offer of a pipe was token o£ friendship and hospitality.

12. The Indian's weapons remain to be noticed. These were chiefly bow and arrow, tomahawk, and spear.^

Indians have had a reputation of being revengeful. It is notorious, however, that Indians invariably practiced hospitality to all by whom they were civilly or kindly treated. Nor were they incapable of tender compassion, true gratitude, and warm friendship. Whenever the white man has entered bis dwelling, the Indian has treated him to the best he could set before him.

A serious injury or affront created within the Indian breast a burning feeling which could ordinarily be appeased only by retaliation. Not enraged by injuries, or made suspicious because of previous breaches of faith, Indians were ever disposed to treat the white man kindly. They welcomed him, they fed him in his necessity, they gave him land, they instructed him in cultivating their great staple, they cherished and faithfully conducted home children who becoming lost would otherwise have perished by hunger or been destroyed by wild beasts.

If Indians looked with a jealous eye, at any time, on new settlers, it was not without cause. Did they at last repent that they had not discouraged and prevented the first attempts

by digging pits in their wonted paths, or by other devices. All game whose skins were useful, was eagerly sought. It was by one of the Indian contrivances that Governor Bradford, on an excursion to Truro, was caught and instantly lifted, dangling in air.

It was unfortunate for the first Indians that the modus operandi of producing salt was not known by them. Salt would have contributed to their comfort With ability to draw from waters, sands, and forests, they were measurably independent. When, as in traveling, no other food was at hand, a small pouch of parched corn furnished them amply.

1 The tomahawk was, in the earlier stages of the progress of Indians, simply a club with a knob. Then came bow and arrow, and next the hatchet. Bowstrings were obtained from sinews of animals. Arrows were made of suitable wood and usually pointed with flint. Simple as these weapons were when first in use, they did execution. After acquaintance with white people Indians began to use arrow-heads of iron or brass. Trained from early childhood to draw the bow, they seldom missed the mark, aiming at man, beast, or bird. In the total absence of military discipline, Indians engaged in war in a loose and apparently disorderly manner. After the first attack, if they deemed it desirable' to follow with a closer assault, they resorted to the tomahawk, and next to firearms.

of white people to settle among them, or regret that when they saw that kindnesses and concessions were to be of no avail, they did not by timely and general union drive out exacting, ungrateful, overbearing invaders? Had they not reasons for such regrets ? Fortunate for the white people it was that such regrets came too late.

Much has been said by those who know but little of the real traits of Indian character, about Indian taciturnity, suUenness, sulkiness, and malignity. But those who have had opportunities to study the native character do not confirm the impressions generally entertained.^

The character of North American Indians has been differently represented by various writers. The portraits drawn have not been simply various, but sometimes contradictory .^ It is safe to infer that it may be possible that sometimes " the devil is not so black as he is painted."

Burton describes the Indian as " a cannibal, a monster in human shape." Spaniards associated with De Soto in Flor-

1 Mr. Irving, who had not only the disposition, but had peculiar facilities for studying Indian character, says of them, " The Indians that I have had opportunity of seeing in real life are quite different from those described in poetry. They are by no means the stoics that they are represented, taciturn, unbending, without a tear or smile. Taciturn they are, it is true, when in company with white men whbse good will they distrust, and whose language they do not understand. The white man is equally taciturn under like circumstances. When Indians are among themselves, there cannot be greater gossips ; half their time is taken up in talking over their adventures in war and hunting, and in telling whimsical stories. They are great mimics and buffoons, also, and entertain themselves excessively at the expense of the whites with whom they have associated, and who have supposed them impressed with profound respect for their grandeur and dignity. They are curious observers, noting everything in silence, but with a keen and watchful eye. occasionally exchanging with each other a glance or a grunt when anything particularly strikes them. They reserve all comments until they are alone ; then it is that they give free scope to criticism, satire, mimicry, and mirth. In the course of my journey along the frontier, I have had repeated opportunities of noticing their excitability and boisterous merriment at their games, and have occasionally noticed a group of Osages sitting around a fire until a late hour of night, engaged in the most lively and animated conversation, and at times making the woods resound with laughter.

As to tears, they have them in abundance, both real and a.ffected. At times they make a merit of them. No one weeps move bitterly or profusely at the death of a relative or friend. They have stated times when they repair to howl and lament at their graves. I have heard doleful wailings at day-break, in the neighborhood of Indian villages, made by inhabitants who go out at that hour into the field to mourn and weep, for the dead." • ida conceded to Indians the character of a "magnanimous enemy." Celebrities in New England were agreed that the Indian was " a child of the devil." William Penn and his associates, pursuing a wiser policy, were able to accord to natives a better character, — " capable of being mollified by acts of good neighborhood into faithful friends and adherents." In these later times, President Harrison, William L. Stone, and many others, have been inclined to concede to Indians some good share of common humanity. Mr. Catlin has told us that in all his intercourse with them he " was generously welcomed, treated to the best they could give, escorted without charge through a hostile country ; aided in passing rivers and mountains ; never robbed, never betrayed, and his baggage protected." General Harrison, who acted for the United States, in treaties with Indians, and had extensive intercourse with them, in his military expeditions and as Governor of the Northwest Territory, commends " their natural endowments and the high susceptibilities of their moral and intellectual nature."

Chapter II

Metacomet, the Indian who figures principally in the following pages, was Sachem of the Wampanoags, a people sometimes called Pokanokets. Metacomet is perhaps better known in the early history of New England as King Philip, a sobriquet applied to him by the English. Before him, his father, Massasoit, was king or sachem, whose jurisdiction reached from the Massachusetts to the Narragansett Bay. Massasoit was recognized by all Indians over whom his sovereignty extended as their Great Sachem.^ His chief seat, Pokanoket, was sometimes called Sowam. It was the same which was afterwards called by white people, Swansey. Its centre was where are now Bristol and Warren.^

Massasoit was that sachem who, a short time after the Mayflower company landed at Plymouth, visited them and brought many Indians, and made with Plymouth men " the first Treaty of Friendship." The Pilgrims had been visited by Indians before, and have told us that " a savage came boldly alone into town, and to the astonishment of all addressed them in English, saying, to their great joy, ' Welcome, Englishmen ! Welcome, Englishmen ! ' "

This savage (such the kind welcomer was called) was Samoset, reported lord or sagamore, of Moratiggon,^ distant five

1 The name of this " Great Sachem " was written by Governor Winslow, as probably it was pronounced, Massasowet. He was also sometimes called Osamekin, Asuhmeguin, or Woosamequln. Indians gave large freedom to fancy, or whim, in bestowment of names.

2 He had also quarters in Nemasket, alias Middleborongh, for hunting and fishing ; also a hunting-house near a pond or swamp, now embraced in the town of Eaynham, which was formerly a part of Taunton.

' Some write it Monhigan, or Monhegan. The country around Cape Ann is the locality intended.

days' journey eastward ; and who had learned to speak broken English by occasional intercourse with fishermen, who, from the time when Gosnold discovered Cape Cod, 1602, had, in prosecution of their vocation been accustomed to visit the shores of Massachusetts Bay. This Indian was of fine person, tall, and erect. He seems, however, not to have bestowed great attention on his toilet, in preparation for his visit, for he was naked save that he had about his loins a leathern girdle with fringe about a span long." His armor was simply " a bow and two arrows."

Samoset came again, soon after this first friendly visit, and, agreeably to promise, brought other Indians, five in number, who were dressed in skins, their faces painted and their persons variously ornamented. In compliance with a charge given to Samoset on his former visit, these Indians left their bows and arrows some distance from the settlement. Approaching " with signs of amity and friendship," they were gladly received by the Pilgrims, who " gave them entertainment." The visiting Indians, in return, " much amused their eager hosts by an exhibition of the Indian style of singing and dancing. They offered in trade a few beaver-skins. The barter was on both sides agreeable, and arrangement was made for a future visit with more skins. The company then took friendly leave.

Samoset, who had knowledge of the whole surrounding country, and of the number and strength of all the tribes, came again April 2, and brought with him "a notable Indian, named Tisquantum." This Indian came to be called by the Pilgrims, Squanto. Him Samoset represented as the only native surviving of all the Patuxet tribe.

Tisquantum, alias Squanto, had, with twenty-seven other Indians, been treacherously seized by one Captain Hunt of Smith's fleet, which, in 1614, on a voyage from Virginia to Malaga, had touched at both Patuxet and Nauset to load with fish. With his fellow captives Tisquantum was transported to Malaga and sold. The only redeeming consideration which connects with the infamous transaction, is the fact that the extraordinary pestilence which, in 1617, desolated Patuxet and all the country immediately surrounding was, by Smith's perfidy, deprived of some victims, who, had they remained, would in all probability have yielded their lives to the devastating scourge. Hunt, his lading successfully accomplished at these cape towns, and his ship ready for sea, enticed Indians on board under pretense of trade, and by coup de main confined them in hold. Of the kidnapped, twenty-one were Patuxets. The others were Nausets. They were sold for £20 each ; the aggregate result of the atrocious act being about $2,700.

It may well be supposed that knowledge of Hunt's great wrong kindled in the bosoms of many tribes fires of hatred and suspicion which lasted long and made future attempts at commerce hazardous. Tisquantum, whose abbreviated cognomen we will henceforward use, had, through the interposition of benevolent monks in Malaga, been finally set at liberty, and by their assistance found his way to England. Honor to whom honor is due. These practically Christian men, called monks, taught by their act a noble lesson of humanity which it were well for persons of opposing religious views to learn and practice. Squanto resided some time in London, and there learned to speak English. At last, getting on board a fishing vessel bound to Moratiggon, he came back to his native land.

With other Indians, whose object was trade, Squanto had now, under the guidance of Samoset, come to Plymouth. The express object of the call was to notify the good people recently settled there, that Massasoit, the Great Sachem, was approaching with intention of making the colonists a friendly visit.

Within an hour after delivering the kind and courteous message sent through avant courier, the Great Sachem with his brother Quadequina and a retinue of about sixty natives, presented themselves on the summit of Watson's Hill. Governor Carver, in great haste, after brief parley through the agency of Squanto, dispatched Mr. Winslow to invite Massasoit to an interview. Mutual distrust prevailed at first, preventing further advances ; but as soon as Mr. Winslow, by aid of Squanto as interpreter, had in the name of King James addressed Massasoit, and assured him that the King saluted

"the great Massasoit with words of love and peace," regarding him as " a friend and ally," and that the Governor " desired opportunity to confirm a good understanding with the Sachem as his friend and neighbor," Massasoit expressed himself " well pleased."

So after partaking of refreshments sent by the Governor, and after Mr. Winslow had presented to Massasoit and Quadequina each a knife and copper chain, arrangements were begun for a grand interview. Mr. Winslow was to be detained as hostage in custody of Quadequina and forty other Indians ; and the Great Sachem and twenty of his men, unarmed, were to meet Standi sh and six others who were already come to the brook at the foot of the hill to receive them. The parties met accordingly, and after mutual salutations proceeded to Governor Carver's house, Standish and his six men acting as a vanguard or escort with loaded muskets. " Cushions for the King " as Massasoit was called, were placed on a green rug on the floor, and the Great Sachem with his attendants seated around, ready for the interview. Governor Carver entered preceded by musketeers, music of drum and trumpet, and forthwith " kissed Massasoit's hand." After such salutation refreshments were offered. " The Governor called for strong-water, and drank to Massasoit, and (as the annalists say) the Sachem drank a great draught that made him sweat all the time after."

The result of this interview was a treaty, March 22, 1621. This " first treaty " it may be of interest to have in full. The Plymouth records give it as follows : " They agree on a league of friendship, in these words, namely : —

"1. That neither he nor any of his shall injure any of our people.

" 2. That if any of his do any hurt to any of ours, he shall send the offender that we may punish him.

" 3. That if our tools be taken away when our people are at work, he shall cause them to be restored ; and if any of ours do any harm to his, we will do the like.

" 4. That if any do unjustly war against him, we will aid him ; and if any do war against us, he shall aid us.

" 5. That he shall send to his neighbor-confederates to certify them of this that they may not wrong us, but may be likewise comprised in these conditions of peace.

" 6. That when their men come to see us upon any occasion they will leave their bows and arrows behind them, as we shall do our pieces when we come to them.

" 7. That doing thus King James will esteem him a friend and ally."

It is not presumed that the preceding "treaty" was then and there fully committed to writing and diplomatically considered. The Pilgrims say, " The above was the substance," and that " Massasoit always faithfully observed and kept it." And in 1645 Governor Bradford wrote, " This league has lasted twenty-four years." Secretary Morton underwrites, " Yea, thirty years longer, viz., to 1675."

The Preface to Plymouth Laws, declaring " the warrantable grounds and proceedings of the government of New Plymouth, afiirms that " the Plymouth Associates, by the favor of Almighty God, began the Colony in New England at a place called by the natives Apaum, alias Patuxet, all the lands being void of inhabitants. The said John Carver, William Bradford, Edward Winslow, William Brewster, Isaac Allerton and the rest of the associates entering into a league of peace with Massasoit, Prince or Sachem of those parts. He, the said Massasoit, freely gave them all the lands adjacent to them and to their heirs forever."

Massasoit is, in the quaint style of a writer of early times, represented as appearing to be "a portly man in his best years ; of grave countenance and spare speech." This account of him, dating back doubtless to the time of the first interview, it may fairly be presumed was not overdrawn. Indians have ever had a reputation for becoming dignity, and have not often been charged with being too loquacious in presence of strangers. The Sachem differed in attire from his people only in having a chain of white beads hung around the neck, and in his bosom a sheathed knife. His attendants were, according to court etiquette, all painted.

Although the Pilgrims had several times before seen a few Indians distant and unapproachable, in reconnoitering excursions on the Cape previous to locating at Plymouth, and had conversed with Samoset and his few confreres, the present was the first considerable company whom they met. Samoset and Squanto as interpreters, an instrumentality so necessary and important, was fortunate and providential.